We have sadly arrived at a point in time where many of us read the latest Event recap with as much trepidation as curiosity. With so many horse and rider deaths happening in the sport, many are naturally calling for changes... But changes will only be effectual if we can identify the true cause of the problems! (Click on Article Title above to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 631Rigidity in the rein connection, caused by the horse or rider bracing against the contact, will always result in tension in the horse's body. And the reverse is very true as well. If the horse is tight in the body, he will tend to brace against your hand. Tip/Quote of the Day # 630"Our job is to prepare the line and canter, then ride forward to the jump. Riding forward to the jump is NOT accelerating to the jump. There is a difference. When riders got to a longer or shorter distance than ideal, the emphasis is on the rider staying in the moment and conveying confidence to the horse." ~ William Fox PittTip/Quote of the Day # 629Make sure that your flash or figure eight noseband is not restricting your horse's breathing! There should be at least four fingers of room between the bottom strap and your horses nostril, otherwise you ARE at risk for restricting your horse's breathing! This photo shows a flash that is way too low. To fix this situation, the noseband itself needs to be higher and possibly a bit tighter. Then the flash attachment will sit correctly.
Horses as a species tend to be afraid... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 628A correct connection involves the horse's entire spinal column, including the neck vertebrae stretching forward into that connection. Discussion # 116: How would you ride this type of cross country jump?This is an old fashioned "elephant trap" fence. Who can tell us how to ride to this type of jump? What kind of canter do you want here? And at what speed should your approach be? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
There are two schools of thought on this subject… what do you think? Does a horse need to be fully on the aids before there is a benefit to performing lateral work? Or can lateral work help to put the horse on the aids? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
It can sure be a challenge with some horses, to keep them as careful at the plain looking jumps! Here are a few tips: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 625“You need to produce a walk. So work at the walk as well as the trot and canter. Get a good feeling of the body working in the walk. The walk is a mirror of the training of the horse.” ~ Christoph HessDiscussion # 112: Look at the visual challenge presented by this green show jumping fence which aims the horse directly into the green seats of the grandstand. Look at the visual challenge presented by this green show jumping fence which aims horse and rider directly into the green seats of the grandstand. This can easily make it hard for the horse to judge the fence in front of him. What could you do to best help your horse see and focus on this fence on the approach? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 624The more complex the movements, the more the basic foundation is tested.Tip/Quote of the Day # 623“Often people think that the easy way of stopping the horse from charging is by putting on the handbreak — and that’s actually the cause in the first place." ~ Harry MeadeTip/Quote of the Day # 622“The distance does not matter. What matters is that you don’t fall forward over their necks or backwards off their a#$@# when you get there.” ~ William Fox PittFirn's Blog post # 12: On Independent Jumping
I can always tell how well a lesson is going by the mobility of the Horse Mutterer while he's teaching. Not being one of those instructors that run after you yelling (I'm guilty), he prefers to find himself a comfy spot next to the arena and give you instructions as you come by. And if he trusts whoever he's teaching that's how he'll conduct the lesson. It's not to everyone's taste, but it does make for a much lower-adrenaline environment when you don't have someone screaming from the centreline every thirty seconds. Just a quiet, "At the next corner, canter, and be careful to keep your wrists straight". (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
"Regularly practice jumping gymnastics on a long or loose rein and remind your horse that he needs to, in Eric Smiley's lovely phrase, 'take ownership of the fence.'" ~ Jimmy Wofford
Tip/Quote of the Day # 619“Riders use the spur instead of the calf of the leg. This is wrong. As trainers and judges, we need to encourage putting the rider in front of the leg, NOT the spur.” ~ Christoph HessTip/Quote of the Day # 620
“The less you do, the more will go right.” ~ Nuno Oliveira
Tip/Quote of the Day # 618"Only allow horse to stretch after the horse is off forehand" ~ KlimkeTip/Quote of the Day # 617"The less we do on cross country- the easier we are on our horses, learn how to be more still, touch their mouth only when you need too, plan your turns. The lighter we are with them galloping over few fences we save their bodies and legs." ~ William Fox PittTip/Quote of the Day # 616Overbending the neck is especially problematic in lateral work, as it causes the horse to displace their weight to the outside. Tip/Quote of the Day # 615Always be aware of the fact that any movement of your hands is more apparent to the judges if you wear white gloves.Guest Blog post # 49: "More Classical Baggage" by Bill Woods
Here’s a post I stole off one of the ubiquitous Classical Dressage message board on Facebook: My young horse was trotting nicely, enthusiastically on a chilly winter day. Suddenly he dropped a shoulder and started bucking. What should I have done?
Well, given where the question was displayed, can you guess what readers offered as answers? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 613From Facebook fan Suzanne Johnson Dortch ~ "When in doubt, breathe out." Tip/Quote of the Day # 612 “With the bend on the circles and in the travers, it is important to use as little inside rein as possible. If you need the inside rein, there is something wrong with the earlier work.” ~ Christoph HessTip/Quote of the Day # 611The best jumps are when the horse maintains the same rhythm and stride length on the approach AND the landing. You should be able to cover your eyes, and *hear* the consistency of the horse's stride in the final strides, and again on landing. If you can hear that… you know without even seeing it, that the jump was good - no matter what exact spot the horse took off from.Question # 249: I have a 5 year old OTTB in training for a client. He's got a great mind but is only vaguely aware he has 4 legs, and he would live on the forehand if I'd stop pestering him about it...He's gotten better but still wants to fall on his face sometimes, especially in downward transitions (no matter how much leg I put on). What exercises would help him carry himself better? (Kellyn)
Hi Kellyn!
It sounds like he might be built a little downhill? This makes keeping a horse balanced and in self carriage under saddle more challenging, but it can be done! Read this article on the croup high horse, which will give you lots to work on to improve your horse's ability to "sit" behind... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 610“Riding forward to the jump is NOT accelerating to the jump. There is a difference.” ~ William Fox PittTip/Quote of the Day # 609Don't let the quality of your transitions suffer in your effort to be accurate. While both are important, it is more important to perform good transitions, than to perform them exactly at the letter.Tip/Quote of the Day # 608Remember that even a cow can jump a 3 foot fence from a standstill - if it wants to. So never worry about whether or not your horse has enough scope to do lower level eventing or jumping. The bigger issue is whether or not you can keep him balanced at the canter. Firn's Blog post # 11Are You Sure She's a Thoroughbred?
I asked this question with some bewilderment, staring at the quiet creature walking patiently on the other end of the lunging line. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 607When lunging, pivot with one foot so that you keep yourself still and centered in the middle of your horse's circle. This way, he will learn to make an actual circle shape, rather than an odd shape.A Fun Exercise to Test Your Control and Your Horse's Responsiveness
Here is a fun little exercise, to show you how well you can control your horse, and check how responsive and balanced your horse is. I call it the... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
It's often said, "Your horse is your mirror." Do you agree? In what ways have you seen horses "mirroring" their riders? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Ah, this is unfortunately one of the many issues that can develop when riders... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 603“Happy horses get high marks. Good basics get high marks. Too many horses do the movements held and forced, and this will get low marks.” ~ Christoph HessTip/Quote of the Day # 602“Event horses need to learn to jump facing into crowds and other spooky things. At home, I have my horses jumping into banners on the fence line and other things to get them used to that idea.” ~ William Fox PittTip/Quote of the Day # 601When running cross country in muddy conditions, always look for a fresh track to run on between fences. Not paying attention to this detail and letting your horse gallop in the tracks made by previous horses will increase your horse's workload... adding to unnecessary fatigue, as well as putting him at increased risk for injury. Guest Blog post # 48: "The Biomechanics of Jumping Position" by Alexis Soutter DVM
There is much debate these days about the “best” jumping position. For over thirty years now, it has been very common for riders in the hunters, equitation divisions, and even the jumpers to favor a position in which they lean their upper body well forward onto the horse’s neck. The most common explanation for this position is that it in some way allows a better release of the horse’s mouth. Very little attention has been paid in many circles as to what this does to the rest of the horse, however. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 600With horses, just like with people, let your actions speak for you. For example, you may think you are rewarding your horse when you say "Good boy" or "Good girl"… but if you don't also release the aid, your horse will not really feel rewarded for their effort.Tip/Quote of the Day # 599The amount of weight involved in your elastic rein connection can be anything from a firm bungee cord type feel to a thin, lightweight rubber band. And the horse's level of balance is what will determine exactly what that weight will be. A Very Useful Version of the Serpentine Exercise
The serpentine is a great exercise in itself. But this simple variation adds some very important benefits! (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 598When lunging, pivot with one foot so that you keep yourself still and centered in the middle of your horse's circle. This way, he will learn to make an actual circle shape, rather than an odd shape.
